Sahara Ray's Mom Shares Heartbreaking Tribute After Model's Death at 34
Gretchen Gia Bach posts emotional message and wears daughter's clothing in tribute.
Sahara Ray's mother, Gretchen Gia Bach, has shared a poignant tribute to her late daughter, the model and swimwear designer who died at the age of 34. Bach posted a message on Instagram Stories, revealing she was "sobbing" as she read tributes to her daughter. In one post, she shared a photo of herself wearing Ray's jeans, stating, "laying on top of an Airbnb bed somewhere in LA at 1 a.m. wearing my daughter’s jeans."
Ray reportedly died over the weekend from a fentanyl overdose. She was taken off life support at a Los Angeles hospital two days after the reported overdose. Bach's tribute comes as friends and family mourn the loss of the model, who gained wider public attention in 2016 for dating Justin Bieber.
Bach also shared a photo of Ray's 9-month-old daughter, Snow, wearing sunglasses, and reflected on Ray's life and her bond with her child. In January, Ray gave birth to Snow, announcing her pregnancy just five months prior. Bach had previously expressed her joy at witnessing her daughter become a mother, calling Snow's birth a complication-free event with an "amazing temperament."
In a statement to the Daily Mail, Bach described Sahara as an "incredibly passionate and kind young woman who loved her family, fashion, her daughter Snow, and surfing." She added, "We’re feeling the love that is pouring in from her cherished friends, fans and the many communities that she was part of around the world."
Sources close to Ray indicated that she had been struggling with her mental health in recent years. Her friend Jessica Serfaty told Page Six that she and Bach had collaborated with others to provide support for Ray. "We gathered the people closest to her, trying to create a circle of love, stability, and support around her when we felt she needed it most," Serfaty said, acknowledging that finding a solution was challenging.
Ray's sister, Ruby Ray, also posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, remembering Sahara as "vivacious, intelligent, hilarious, kind, empathetic and breathtakingly beautiful." Ruby described the grief of losing her sister as an "excruciating, all-consuming pain."
Sahara Ray was the creator of Sahara Ray Swim and was known for her connection to surfing and fashion. Her father, surfing legend Tony Ray, has shared throwback photos of his daughter on his social media, though he has not yet released a public statement regarding her passing.